Israeli Airstrikes Escalate Syria Sweida Clashes Jeopardizing Security Deal

Syria is a focal point for Trump administration efforts to reshape Middle East security by supporting a moderate government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, aiming to diminish Iran's influence and strengthen ties with Israel and moderate Arab states. Trump has lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria to aid this transition, but the new government remains fragile amid ongoing economic, security, and political challenges. Recent escalations in southern Syria, particularly in the Druze-majority Sweida province, have heightened tensions, with clashes between the al-Sharaa regime, radical Sunni militias, and the Druze community undermining hopes for Israeli-Syrian security cooperation. Israel has responded with rare airstrikes in Damascus and southern Syria to protect its borders and the Druze minority, reinforcing military presence and signaling a more direct involvement in Syria's internal affairs. The conflict has prompted calls within Israel's Druze community for increased military and humanitarian support for Syrian Druze, including proposals for a humanitarian corridor into Israel. These developments have overshadowed broader regional ambitions, casting doubt on the prospects for a stable security arrangement between Israel and Syria amid Syria's ongoing fragmentation and violence.